The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 31 Oct 2012

31.10.2012 Do Not Kill All Human in Person — Zmicier Dashkievich’s Open Letter to Prosecutor General’s Office

The main law of our country — the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus in its Article No. 25 says that no one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or undignified treatment or punishment, which violate personal liberty, inviolability and dignity.

31.10.2012 Brest activists launch online project to help visually impaired

The initiators of the project does not exclude the possibility that it may have a rights-based character, to support people with disabilities who face discrimination in their everyday lives.

31.10.2012 Porters of Polatsk winery seeking reinstatement in court

On November 1 Polatsk District Court is expected to continue hearing the suit brought by former employees of Polatsk winery Dzmitry Siankou and Viktar Rasliakou, who were fired for alleged "systematic violations of labor discipline."

31.10.2012 Zhlobin: trial of Fair World member still underway

A court in Zhlobin has once again adjourned the trial in the case of Yauhen Basareuski, member of the "Fair World" Left-wing party, charged under Article 424 of the Criminal Code ("abuse of power or of a position of authority"). Judge Ina Sharshniova of Zhlobin District Court put off the hearing till November 14, without giving any reason.

31.10.2012 Orsha police delay consideration of election violations

As we reported earlier, the coordinators of the campaign "For Fair Elections-2012" in Orsha registered a number of violations of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus in electoral districts Nos. 26 and 27. The violations were reported to Orsha Investigative Committee by sending a notice of infringement of Article 54 of the Electoral Code, dealing with voting at the voter’s residence.

31.10.2012 Babruisk activists campaign to rename streets in honor of repressed writers

Mrs. Volha Pimanava, civil activist from the city of Babruisk, Mahiliou region, has launched a campaign to collect petitions in effort to rename the city’s streets in honor of two natives of Babruisk – writers Barys Mikulich and Siarhei Hrakhouski – who became victims of the Stalin-era political repression.

31.10.2012 Mahiliou court upholds dismissal of opposition activist

Judge Valiantsina Lapatsina of Mahiliou Leninski District Court dismissed yesterday a lawsuit brought by Mikalai Zalozny, local activist of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada), who demanded reinstatement in his job as a mechanic in one of the city’s hostels.

31.10.2012 Polish historian no allowed to Belarus

A historian and a chairman of the Belarusian association Khatka in Gdansk Dr Elena Glagovska was denied a Belarusian visa.

31.10.2012 Independent newspapers not included in Belposhta subscription catalogue

The website of Belposhta, the Belarusian postal service operator, published a subscription catalogue for the first six months of 2013. The catalogue still doesn't have a number of independent newspapers – the biggest regional newspapers Intex-press and Borisovskie Novosti or Novoe Vremya,” baj.by reports.